Virginia Beach

The only thing that could top a night of sushi, beer, cupcakes and turkish coffee is a trip to the beach. Brandy's older sister lives in Norfolk, Va which is roughly three hours from Roxboro. Sidebar - to pronounce Norfolk the way the locals do you pretty much have to drop the "F" bomb yet they have signs posted saying you'll be fined if you swear. We had our first fight on the way to Virginia because I got lost...again. Bran's phone was saying get off on exit 13, 14, 15, my directions said get off on exit 13, 14, 15 but I kept on the highway towards Richmond. Maybe the multi-numbered exit confused me? I don't know. Her phone got us to her sisters house. I was mad about the direction business and told them to go on to the beach, I was going to Richmond! (Just because I'm 42 doesn't mean I'm always mature and rational.) I'd lived in Richmond when I was 5 and wanted to see it again anyway. Well...I got lost and couldn't find the highway to take me to Richmond plus I really did want to spend the day at the beach with my daughter. I called her and she gave me directions to where they were. 

They were at a fish joint called Big Sam's. http://www.bigsamsrawbar.com/  The food smelled great but I opted for cocktails. When we got to the beach we went to another restaurant for more cocktails and so I could change into my suit. It's probably good I don't remember the name of this one. The drinks were good, the veggie plate was good, the server was bad. He tried to apologize by saying he had to work his second job later that evening. I don't care...I didn't tell you to work two jobs dude. This place was right on the beach so after we left there we stepped out on the sand.

The beach was beautiful and there were no breast implants on the sand or in the water. The two girls set up their chairs and lounged. I went to play in the ocean. The ocean stole my sunglasses in a matter of seconds. I felt a little bad since they were Brandy's. I saw a man a few yards from me lose his too. Despite having my sunglasses stolen by the sea, I was having a great time. I couldn't remember the last time I'd really played in the ocean. (the jelly fish water doesn't count, I was too weirded out to enjoy that.) I ventured out a little deeper thinking I could avoid the breaking waves and play in the gentler ones. Ha. A wave came. A big one. There was no point in running. I stood there helplessly staring in horror as it grew bigger. It hit and try as I might I couldn't keep my feet, down I went. I couldn't tell which way was up. I was thinking maybe I'd end up wherever my sunglasses had gone when I collided with something. A person! There was a person under the waves with me! Maybe he'll know which way is up! I grabbed him around the waist and hung on for dear life. When he stood up he had a very grateful woman attached to him. We both laughed, I thanked him for saving me and went to build a sand castle.

For dinner we went to the Biergarden http://www.biergarden.com/  in nearby Portsmouth. I had a beer called the Golden Monkey, just because the name was funny. It was good and it wasn't pink. Very pleasant evening spent with Brandy, her sister Ashley and fiance Kevo. 

Riding home from the Biergarden we had to go through a tunnel. Up to this point we'd all been very animatedly chatting. A few feet into the tunnel all conversation stopped. I didn't see any signs saying it was a silent tunnel but it was. I found this highly amusing but was trying not to laugh when I heard Brandy start chuckling in the backseat. That's all it took, I was full blown laughing, Brandy was full blown laughing. Ashley and Kevo were looking at us like we were both nuts. Nothing like a good belly laugh while people are looking at you like you belong in a mental institution. 

Very glad I couldn't find the highway to Richmond.